 | Two first half goals was enough to earn the previously winless Atlanta Silverbacks their first win of the season by a score of 2-1, over a struggling FC Edmonton side.The loss leaves Edmonton without a win in their last three games and only two for the entire season. | |
Edmonton - June 4, 2012 - Following FC Edmonton is a bit like opening a fortune cookie: no amount of optimism will single-handedly turn what's promised on paper into reality. That's why even the most diehard supporters of the club, must now face the facts. At this moment, they are dismal soccer team. Their 2-1 loss to the previously winless Atlanta Silverbacks on Sunday afternoon leaves the club tied with the Silverbacks and Carolina Railhawks, with a league-worst eight points. This season has started so badly, that it's beginning to look Oilers-esque.
The time for wishful thinking is over. It's going to take the Eddies a whole lot of work to turn this one around. The bad news being, FC Edmonton hit a new low yesterday by dropping points at home against the only side they've managed to beat on the road, despite being a man-up for the last quarter of an hour.
The good news for the Eddies, if there's any room for optimism, it is also that yesterday was a new low. No, that's not a typo but it far better to happen with three quarters of the season left, than during a late August playoff run. It’s still only June 4th and there's only one place to go from here and that is up.
After yesterday’s performance this team knows exactly how much they still need to improve. They were sluggish out of the gate, conceding possession all too easily against an Atlanta side desperate for points. So it came as no surprise when the Silverbacks scored first, on an O'Brien free kick. It seemed almost inevitable, that the visitors would add another and the insurance mark came courtesy of Shane Moroney's lovely header, just before the break.
The second half began with the Eddies looking to be the better side. Chris Kooy gained possession in the midfield, as the home side gradually turned on the pressure. The goal that the crowd of over 2,500 was waiting for, would finally come in the 51st minute, when defender Kevin Hatchi met a Shaun Saiko free kick at the near post, for his first goal of the season.
However, the celebrations were short-lived, as an ankle knock forced Edmonton’s Matt Lam off the pitch, as he was replaced by Kyle Porter. The physical tone of the game continued to raise as both sides fought hard for the upper hand, culminating in a straight red for Martyn Lancaster for a reckless challenge on FC forward Paul Craig, that prevented a breakaway opportunity for the home side.
Only some great goal-keeping, a generous off-side call and some poor finishing from Yashir Pinto, kept Edmonton from knotting things up at two. The Silverbacks simply ran down the clock, to claim their first win of the season.
FC Edmonton now has a full week at home to recuperate and reassess their season. They definitely have the talent, at least on paper, but they need to get back on track. They are unquestionably growing a fan base that would love to help push them forward but at the same time, this is a young squad with a steep learning curve ahead of them. They will need to learn from their mistakes and it will have to start happening soon.
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